LC names new football coach, AD

Justin Charles, defense coordinator for the LC Wildcats football team, was announced as the new football head coach and Reni Mason, Louisiana College Wildcats basketball coach, was announced as the new athletic director for the college.
Melinda Martinez and Jeff Matthews

See who will be replacing the departed Dennis Dunn

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Reni Mason (left), Louisiana College Wildcats basketball coach, was announced as the new athletic director for the college and Justin Charles (right), defense coordinator for the LC Wildcats football team, was announced as the new football head coach.(Photo: Melinda Martinez/The Town Talk)Buy Photo

"He has some big shoes to fill," LC President Rick Brewer said, motioning toward Charles, who was most recently LC's defensive coordinator.

Charles, who has spent his entire coaching career with LC, is excited for the challenge.

"I bleed orange and blue," said Charles, who electrified fans as a defensive back and kick returner for the Wildcats in the early 2000s. "For me, it's an opportunity to coach my alma mater. There's nothing more prestigious than that."

After his playing career ended in 2004, Charles transitioned into a coaching role at LC, where he has remained. He's optimistic the Wildcats can rebound from 4-6 and 3-7 records the past two years, after posting seven straight winning seasons from 2008-14.

"We have 17 seniors coming back who have started for us," Charles said. "They've been through a lot of close games. What our kids have to understand is we have to play through the fourth quarter. It's all about finishing for us this year."

Junior quarterback D'Ondre Joseph said hiring Charles was "a great step for the program."

"This can bring us over all the obstacles we've had the last two years," Joseph said. "I feel like this will help us win some games, and maybe bring home a championship."

Brewer called Charles and Mason men of "conscience, character, commitment and integrity."

Mason, who has been at LC since 2015, said he was "humbled" to be chosen as AD and is looking for a "seamless transition" taking over for Dunn.

"We all know the issues we have with facilities," he said. "It's important to understand that things aren't going to change overnight, but they can change. It just takes work. We're going to roll up our sleeves and do the best we can."

Justin Charles (right) was announced as head football coach in 2016.(Photo: Town Talk file photo)